Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.LINCOLN — Iowa center Morgan Johnson expects a big cheering section Thursday when the Hawkeyes visit the No. 19 Nebraska women's basketball team. At least 15 friends and family members, she said. Maybe more.
And she'd prefer that none wears Husker red, like a few did when her sister Taylor — a freshman on Creighton's team — played in the Devaney Center on Dec 8.
Johnson's parents are originally from Nebraska. Dad from Mead. Mom from a farm outside Grand Island. They live in Platte City, Mo., but among some of Johnson's extended family, NU fever rarely abates.
"They better be wearing black and gold this time," Johnson said, laughing. "They claimed they didn't have any Creighton blue yet. We've sent them some black and gold. So we'll see what happens."
Though Iowa lost to Nebraska 77-72 in Iowa City Jan. 8, the 6-foot-5 Johnson finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds. When the shorter, depth-challenged Huskers collapsed better on the post to slow her, the Hawkeyes didn't make enough perimeter shots to compensate.
NU guard Lindsey Moore and her teammates did — hitting 10 of 19 3-pointers.
"We were pretty fortunate to win the first time around," said Nebraska coach Connie Yori, opting to play down a road win in front of 7,500.
The game was a microcosm for 16-3 Nebraska and 11-9 Iowa. On talent alone, their records could be identical.
But the young Huskers have thus far made clutch plays — big shots and steals, often from Moore — that the more experienced Hawkeyes haven't.
"It's frustrating," Johnson said. "We've been in every battle. We haven't been blown out."
Not much of it has been the fault of Johnson, Iowa's most consistent player. She's averaged 14.3 points and 6.4 rebounds this year, scoring in double figures in six of seven league games.
In a league currently dominated by guards, Yori said, Johnson's one of the best post players.
"She has two, three inches on us, so there's an advantage," Yori said. "She can hit the short corner shot. She's got some versatility. But she's a kid who's got a good back-to-the-basket game."
Johnson attended an NU summer camp before her junior year in high school. Player and coaches talked, but nothing serious materialized. Yori said Nebraska looked at Johnson but had no scholarship to offer. NU signed forwards Meghin Williams and Katya Leick, among other players, for the 2009-10 season.
While Williams has struggled with injuries and Leick transferred, Johnson's missed one start in her three years.
"Oh, yeah. For sure," Johnson said when asked if she was interested in the Huskers. "But when it wasn't there, I wasn't totally heartbroken. I knew I had other options. God placed me where I needed to be. It ended up working out pretty well at Iowa."
Still, Johnson's "very, very motivated" for the 7:05 p.m. game.
The rivalry between NU and Iowa is still taking root for teammates, she said, but "for me, personally, it is a rivalry." Her sister, Taylor, will be at the game. Most of all, she wants to see how Nebraska defends her — and how she and Iowa respond.
"They'll cook something up this game, I'm sure," Johnson said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what that is."
• NOTES: Sophomore Jordan Hooper now leads the Big Ten in rebounding (8.9 per game). Hooper has taken 55 shots in the past three games. ... Freshman Emily Cady has averaged 13.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in the past 11 games. ... Both Iowa and Nebraska are shooting 32 percent from 3-point range.
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